Hot Topics
March 31, 2010
Microsoft Teams with Ford to Optimize Consumer Experience with Electric Vehicles
Today, Ford Motor Co. and Microsoft are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future by announcing a new solution that will make electric vehicle ownership easier and more affordable for consumers.
The two companies are teaming up to implement the Microsoft Hohm energy management application for Ford’s electric vehicles. Ford is the first automaker announcing the use of Hohm, starting with the Focus Electric next year. Hohm will help owners determine when and how to most efficiently and affordably recharge battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). It also should help utility companies manage the added demands of electric vehicles on the electrical grid.
Read complete article on Microsoft News Center.
March 29, 2010
Get a Microsoft Partner Network Jacket
You can now order a Microsoft Partner Network jacket from the Microsoft Company Store, just create a customer ID and search on “Partner Network”. You can also get jackets from the Microsoft Partner Store. After logging in with your organization ID, you can find them under “Partner Program”.
March 26, 2010
Vote for Favorite Student Tech Inventions in Imagine Cup
Students across America have been dreaming up ways to solve the world’s toughest problems using the magic of software. They are competing in the Imagine Cup, the world’s premier student technology competition hosted annually by Microsoft. Through April 23, you can learn more about the U.S. finalist teams, view videos about their innovations, and vote for your favorite Software Design idea.
March 23, 2010
VARs and IT Providers: Get Ready to Sell Office 2010
Before you can sell the Office 2010 suites, you need to get in your customer’s office. VARs and IT Providers: Access sales strategies to help you get your foot in the door and close the Office 2010 deal. Two training courses give an overview of how to sell Office 2010 and how you can win against the primary competitors, Google Apps and OpenOffice.
To take advantage of this training, a benefit of your Microsoft Partner Network membership, you need to be signed in to the Partner Network portal. Not yet a member? Learn more about the benefits and how to enroll.
March 17, 2010
WPC 2010 Registration Now Open
Come with your business challenges and ideas. Leave with solutions and connections. Join us July 11-15, 2010 in Washington, D.C. for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC). WPC 2010 is the must-attend event of the year for partners worldwide to hear Microsoft’s roadmap for the year, network with other partners and Microsoft employees, experience the latest product innovations, and brainstorm solutions. Don’t miss out! Register today!
New Passes Available This Year
Experience all five (5) days of the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2010 in Washington, D.C. for US$1,795.00. This price includes access to all Microsoft keynote and regional presentations/track sessions, the Expo, Hands on Labs, WPC Connect networking meetings and all WPC 2010 functions & events.
This year, you have the opportunity to customize your WPC 2010 experience and can select from the following passes**:
All Access Event Pass*
– Standard Partner Fee US$1795.00
– On Site registration fee US $1995.00 (based on space availability July 11-15)
Day Pass
– US$650.00 (purchase from March 24 - July 15)
Expo Only Week Pass
– US$150.00 (purchase from March 24 – July 15)
Guest Pass
– US$300.00 (purchase from March 24 – July 15)
Business Leadership One-Day Event Pass
– US$595.00
Hands-on Labs Passes
– 1 day pass US$295.00 or 3 day pass US$795.00, View Hands-on Labs sessions and schedule
*WPC 2010 recommends the All Access Event Pass.
**WPC 2010 Passes are non-transferrable (substitutions are allowed) and photo identification will be required at registration event check in. The Day Pass and Expo Only Pass are non-refundable.
March 15, 2010
Windows Phone 7 Series Developer Tools Roll Out at MIX10
Charlie Kindel, one of the key thinkers behind the Windows Phone 7 Series development platform that’s being unveiled today at MIX10, admits he’s the kind of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Talk to him about technology, and his passion bursts at the seams.
His role as evangelist officially begins today in Las Vegas at MIX10, a three-day conference for Web developers and designers. After a month of hearing little about how to build games and apps for the Windows phone, developers at the conference are being introduced to the Windows Phone 7 Series development tools and given a tour of the platform, which uses both XNA Game Studio and Silverlight.
Read complete article at Microsoft News Center
March 12, 2010
Microsoft Wants SXSW Festival Attendees to Play Tag
Thousands of festival-goers at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music, film, and interactive festival in Austin, Texas, will be snapping each other – or, rather, snapping each other’s Tags – for a chance to win US$5,000 from Microsoft Tag.
Microsoft Tag uses colorful, triangular barcodes and mobile phone cameras as a quick link between real life and digital life. The technology is gaining momentum, and Microsoft wants to give Tag more visibility by sponsoring an interactive contest at one the most popular festivals in the country, says Marja Koopmans, general manager of marketing for the Startup Business Group at Microsoft. Read complete article.
March 4, 2010
Watch Steve Ballmer Webcast on Cloud Strategy
In a live speech at the University of Washington in Seattle, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer discussed what’s ahead for computing, with a focus on how cloud computing will change the way people and businesses use technology. Includes demos and a Q&A session with University of Washington students. Watch on-demand webcast.
